Brooklyn Nets Need Phil Jackson as New Coach

By Andy Schmidt

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets are in need of a new coach after deciding not to bring back interim coach P.J. Carlesimo. The easy answer to this would be to hire Phil Jackson if he would want to become the next coach there.

Brooklyn should do whatever it takes to make that happen. The Nets could emerge as one of the best teams around the NBA next season if they get a coach in there that will push them harder than they were to end this season. Jackson has proven his abilities. There is no disputing the coach with all the championships he has.

The player that would worry me about this Brooklyn team is Deron Williams. He has run coaches off before but he would meet his toughest test if he had to deal with Jackson, who won’t put up with his antics. The Nets had their chance to advance to the second round on Saturday before coming out like they really didn’t care.

Jackson will get a ton of money with whatever team he decides to go to. There will be people who suggest that he could get over $15 million a year. I’m not a fan of paying a coach that much, but that’s the going rate for someone of Jackson’s ability. Brooklyn should be throwing everything they have at Jackson to get him to go to the Big Apple.

There is talent there with Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if a Jackson arrival propels this team to the next level.

Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.